HINGHAM, Mass. – Gerard A. Bussiere Sr., 81, of Hingham, Mass., died on Saturday, Feb. 3, at his home, after a long illness.

He was born in Lewiston, where he was raised and educated. During World War II, he served with the U.S. Marine Corps and participated in the occupation of Japan (he was with the first group to enter Nagasaki after the atomic bombing) and also the occupation of China.

He lived in Hanover, Mass., for many years, before coming to Hingham more than 50 years ago. He was a well-known self-employed carpenter and general contractor in the South Shore area. He was active with the Disabled American Veterans and was a past commander of the Rockland DAV 50 and was also a past commander of the state DAV.

Husband of the late Marie (Lacombe) Bussiere, he was the father of Anne Servidio, and her husband, Richard, of Lewiston, Claire Coughlan, and her husband, Mark, of Weymouth, Mass., Gerard Bussiere Jr., and his wife, Teresa, of Holbrook, Mass., Paul Bussiere, and his wife, Marion, of Norwood, Mass. and Michele Bussiere, and her partner, Mary Billingsly, of Centerville, Tenn.; brother of Blanche Poisson, Fernand Bussiere, Eyvonne Hebert, Connie Sullivan, Annette DuBuc, Dick Bussiere, the late Leo Bussiere and the late Rita DuPont; family friend, June Seitz; long-time companion, ‘Malibu’; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.